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So today was a very normal day. After class ended today, I had to go to work. When I got there I did my usual routine.

Tend to the customers.

Put away dishes.

Refill the cups of water.

Clean up a little and wipe the tables.

Just simple things like that.

And then it slowed down but then more people began to pile in. It was about 4:00 when I had noticed her. Now, I don't mean this in a "wow, she's totally hot" way or anything. But I thought she was still beautiful. There was a girl with about neck length black hair, maybe even shorter than that. And she was in a wheel chair. There was nothing unusual about her but I couldn't help but notice she was having a hard time getting in.

Our front entrance has a sort of ramp and the door isn't automatic. So she was kind of worried and debating whether she should go in or not. I ran out to greet and smiled at her. And held the door open for her. She really appreciated it. And that was when I noticed her arms. I don't want to be rude but this is how I would describe it. But they looked like rubber. Like the bones in side of her had gotten soft and would never harden ever again. Its kind of like when you fall asleep on your arm and there isn't any feeling in them and its hard to move your fingers. The bones in her fingers were so flexible you could bend them backwards. The tight skin on her arms would droop down as if her arms were just resting on the arm rest and she was just letting it hang. And she had a hard time moving her arms.
I smiled at her and immediately and moved a chair aside so she could park her wheel chair. After that I handed her a menu. When walked away to give her some time I looked at my own arms.
I know how I always complain that I don't have time to do anything and I'm always too busy to do anything I want. And when I get home I just want to pass out on the floor because I'm so sapped of energy I can't function. But, now I'm thinking I bet she would love to be able to all the things other people do. Even if it meant wearing yourself out to do something you necessarily didn't want to do. I bet she would just love to have her arms look and feel normal, just like everybody else. And as I soon as I thought that I felt incredibly guilty, Like it was absolutely not okay that I could move my arms and fingers. I am so lucky to be able to walk and run and do all the the things I want. While this girl would have to live with her condition for the rest of her life.

When she was looking down on her menu and other customer had walked towards the front door. A woman with long blond hair and was wearing blue shorts. She stopped for a moment before opening the door and she just kind of stared at the woman in the wheel chair. She almost looked disgusted. And I got really angry at her. When she sat down I went to ask Valerie, the woman in the wheel chair. for her order. I smiled at her the entire time, a real genuine smile and not a business smile.

Always keeping eye contact with her. She had blue eyes and they were so beautiful in the light. She had parked her chair near the front of the store where there was a huge glass window. Valerie ordered a taro smoothie, some vegetable nuggets and tofu skin. When I made the smoothie and had put it on the table I put it as close to her as possible. But she still had to lean over to get to it. I felt so bad that I couldn't do something better for her. I didn't want to stupidly hand it to her only to know that she won't be able to have a firm grip on it.

While my boss was making the food all I could feel was guilt. And yet every time I looked at her I felt kind of happy. I sincerely don't mean it in "I'm better than you" way but a "I admire you" kind of way. I admired her strength and ability to be who she is. And she is not afraid of stares, she's proud of herself. I can tell because why else is she here all by herself? Not a lot of people like her can say that with their body language and their demeanor. But deep deep down I still felt guilt and sadness. Is that a normal feeling to have?

How would you act around a person in her condition? Would you want to help her through every step of the day, like I would? Or lock her up so I know she'll be safe and away from judging eyes. Is it okay to feel this way?

Before I took her order she had a really had time just holding the menu. She was holding it as if her opposable thumbs had been taped and she couldn't use them. So the only choice she had was to hold the menu with her side of her hand. Valerie pushed it awkwardly with the side of her thumbs to prevent it from falling. And after I had taken her menu she tried calling her friend. It was a flip phone so she had a hard time just trying to open it.

When she paid Valerie had a really hard time moving the wheel chair close against the front counter. With her in the wheel chair her chin had barely made it over the counter. She paid with a card and I realized I needed her to sign it. And she just kind of looked at it and I felt so stupid. I couldn't help it. After a few years of doing it, it simply became a reflex. If she could barely hold her phone what made me think she could hold a pen? I am a horrible person... She asked me to sign it for her. And that's how I know her name. She paid and had asked me to help her and I gladly complied. I put her food in a little bag and hung it on the handle of the wheel chair. Valerie gathered up her things and she slowly drove towards the front door. I ran and opened the door wide open for her.

I just kept smiling at her, sincerely smiling at her the entire time. And told her "Have a nice day". I have never meant it more in my life than I ever did then. When she left another thought occurred to me. Why do people stare at people like Valerie? She was nice and sure, physically she may have looked different but deep down. She and I were the same.

We both feel pain and happiness. We experience the same things, Live in the same city, state, world, and universe. She is not so different from you and I dear reader. Valerie is flesh and blood, not a freak of nature.

Valerie deserves the highest respect. Salute her and glorify her. Because although she may look different and she may act or sound different. She is doing the best she can. Valerie is staying true to herself. Can you say that about yourself? So honestly, respect her. It may seem stupid but I think she is better than I will ever be. Ask yourself something before you judge someone.

Do I know where they have been? Do I really know who they are? Do I have any right to judge them?

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